The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-27
TELESCOPE-NAKING.
Some Incidents in the Career of the Late
AIvan Clark.

Some Incidents in the Career of the Late
AIvan Clark.
Boston Herald.
The business of manufacturing telescopes was
first conceived by the eldest son, who, while in
college at Andover, read a treatise on Casting
and Grinding the Speculum," the result of that
reading being attempt to make telescope.
He went to Cambridge and told his father of his
intention. showing him what he bad already ac-
complished. The father at once became deeply
interested in the experiment and entered into
it with his whole soul In speaking of that time,
many years after, the old gentleman said: II
thought would learn it TO teach the work
correctly to George" They worked together at
the experiment and succeeded max
ing :, an instrument, and from this
accomplished which has brought them
fame and wealth. The younger son, Alvan c.,
at first entered into other business. but finally
settled down to that of telescope making, and
all three, under the name and style of Clark 81
Sons. have worked together for nearly forty
years The work of grinding and preparing
lenses is ono of extreme nlcety and difficulty,
and many times. after months of careful labor
flaws would be found which were not at first dis
cernible. and it has been found that all their
and expense were thrown away. The shop
first established on Prospect street, and
later removed to Bronkline street, where an OBJ
servatory built. In the frst-named shop
the father one day giving the final polishing
to large lens upon which unusual and
nearly years time had been expended. when
down a moment and gazing ruefully at
the fragments, suddenly sprang his
feet and said, "Boys, we will make
better one" Ono of the greatest discov-
companion Of Sirius. For this they received
from the French Academy of Arts and Sciences
the award and a gold medal and $120 in gold
In 1850 Mr. Alvan Clark went to Europe and
spent great deal of his time with Mr. w r.
Dawes. the English astronomer, and while in
his observatory discovered a new STAR now
known as companion to .s99 Hercules Mr..
Clark afterward had extensive correspond
ence with Mr. Dawes. and spoke of his
tion with him as the closest friendship of his
life: Soon after his return from Europe. in
1860. he received the first order for large tele-
scope in this country from the University of
half inches. The war of the rebellion
being inaugurated before it was fin
ished, the Southern college unable
the University of Chicago This was
the glass by which the companion to Sirius was
discovered. Then followed the construction of
two glasses of twenty-six inches each. one being
disposed of to the University of Virginia. and
the other placed in the observatory at Washing
ton. With the latter instrument Prof Hall
discovered that the planet Mars had two sateli-
ties. and received the award for the greatest
astronomical achievements of that year. In
1879 the fame of the Clarks had travelled beyond
the ocean, and the Gar of Russia sent an order
for 30-nch glass. The greatest achievement
by this celebratedArm was the muanufActure of
a 36-inch glass for Sc Lick observatory in Cali
fornia. it being the largest and most powerful
instrument In the world. Several years
were spent in its construction, and columns
in relation to its wonderful power. In recogni-
ton of its great successes. degrees have been
conferred upon Mr.. Clark by the universities of
Harvard, Amherst. Princeton and Chicago He
was emphatic.lly a self made man, all the edu-
cation he ever received being in the public
schools of western Massachusetts,. Not long
since he said: 81 owe largely my recognition
By the scientific world to Mr. Dawes 1 had.
as thought with one of my telescopes dissov-
cred several double stars. 1 wrote to
Dawes. asking him to verify my observations.
He answered that they real discoveries
I reported other discoveries. Mr.. Dawes
wrote Where did you get your telescopel L
made it. was the reply. / sold him that glass
and FIVE others" When Dom Pedro of Brazil.
visited this country few pears ago he said
there were three persons in Cambridge ne had
strong desire to see. viz: Mr.. Longfellow
Professor Agassiz and Mr. Alvan Clark. This
has been patiently. steadily. and
justly earned Professor Newcome. of Wash
ington, once spoke of him IS IAN example of the
tardy recognition of the claims of genius
Through all his early failures and his later sue
cesses he constantly bright, cheerful and
and those who had the
privilege of his acquaintance were glad to
listen to his words, lis thoughts always being
expressed in simple, clear and unmistakable
language